How to remove the Avoiding Ads browser extension (adware) that displays ads
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Avoiding Ads?
While inspecting dubious download webpages, our researchers discovered one promoting the Avoiding Ads browser extension. It is endorsed as an ad-blocking tool (adblocker) for YouTube. After analyzing this piece of software, we learned that it operates as adware (i.e., delivers advertisements).
Avoiding Ads adware overview
Adware is designed to deliver intrusive ad campaigns, i.e., enable the placement of adverts on visited sites and/or other interfaces.
Note that this software may need certain conditions to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system specs, visits to particular websites, etc.). However, regardless of whether Avoiding Ads delivers ads, its presence on a system endangers device and user safety.
The advertisements displayed by advertising-supported software endorse untrustworthy/harmful webpages and software, online scams, and even malware. Additionally, some intrusive adverts can make downloads/installations without user consent - when clicked on.
It has to be mentioned that any legitimate content encountered via these ads is most likely promoted by scammers abusing the product's affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.
What is more, Avoiding Ads has data tracking functionalities. Adware primarily targets browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, and so on. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Avoiding Ads |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Avoiding Ads |
| Supposed Functionality | YouTube adblocker (ad-blocking tool) |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Adware examples
Video Skipping Over, Finding Solutions, and Keep It Dark are just a couple examples of the adware that we have analyzed recently. It usually appears legitimate and promises "useful" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did Avoiding Ads install on my computer?
We obtained Avoiding Ads from its "official" download webpage. In addition to pages of this kind, adware is distributed via scam websites. Users typically enter these sites through redirects caused by spam browser notifications, webpages using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Advertising-supported software is also proliferated using "bundling" - packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements spread adware as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy sources. Furthermore, installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
We also advise being vigilant when browsing - since illegitimate and malicious content typically looks harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).
If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Avoiding Ads, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshots of the websites used to promote Avoiding Ads adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Avoiding Ads?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Avoiding Ads application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Avoiding Ads ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Avoiding Ads' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Avoiding Ads extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Avoiding Ads adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "Avoiding Ads", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Avoiding Ads ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Avoiding Ads adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Avoiding Ads adware using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Avoiding Ads" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by avoiding ads, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Avoiding Ads" and all other recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by avoiding ads removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by avoiding ads, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Advertising-supported software may decrease browsing quality and system performance. It is also deemed to be a privacy threat, as adware usually has data tracking functionalities. Additionally, adware-delivered advertisements can be deceptive/malicious and cause severe problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Furthermore, this software may be capable of force-opening webpages and collecting private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate most of their profit through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, software, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Avoiding Ads adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and eliminating detected adware-type applications. It has to be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective. Since despite the adware being (manually) removed - various file leftovers may remain hidden within the system. Furthermore, these remnants can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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